City suffer the X-it Factor

Armagh City’s involvement in the Intermediate Cup this season started and finished in disappointment on Saturday when they lost to a strong Intermediate League side at Dungiven. It could have been so different as City pressed from the kick-off and Dale Montgomery went on a strong run down the left, beat the last defender and shot past goalkeeper McDermott only for the ball to crash against a goalpost.

After that City were limited to long range shot and McDermott was tested only by one effort from Ryan McGerrigan.

Eoghan Quigg – he of X-Factor fame – and Darrell O’Kane looked dangerous for the home side and they combined to create a good chance for Boyle but City’s defence stood firm. Ten minutes before half time a good run by Darrell O’Kane created another chance for Boyle whose shot was well blocked by Sean Morgan who cleared the ball to the right wing from where Stephen O’Kane sent over a good cross and a fine header by Darrell O’Kane gave Dungiven a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later Darrell O’Kane sent a great pass to put James McNicholl in but his strong shot was very well saved by Morgan.Although City had quite a bit of the play they found Cathal McNicholl and McMackin difficult to get past and finished the half a goal down. Armagh started the second half like the first but this time Dale Montgomery’s shot was held by McDermott at the second attempt.

At the other end Morgan made a great save to deny Quigg. A strong wind blowing across the pitch didn’t help City who were finding no way through the home defence and their long range shots were just off target.

Darrell O’Kane ran on to a long kick out by McDermott and got clear of the City defence but again Morgan did very well.

The introduction of Darren Bruce brightened City’s prospects and twice he found Gavin Cusack but the first shot went narrowly wide and the other brought the best out of McDermott. Dungiven had another chance when Emmett O’Kane’s cross cleared the defence and fell to Eoghan Quigg and while the former X Factor star seemed to do everything right his header looped on to the top of the crossbar and out of play.

With 89 minutes gone the only bad foul of the game ended Darrell O’Kane’s afternoon and from the resultant free kick Finlay put the ball just wide.

Three City corners deep into injury time had the Dungiven supporters yelling for the final whistle as City had all 11 players in the home penalty area but it was not to be and a game where most of City’s heroes were in defence ended in a narrow defeat.